Nia Pearl: I have moulded a sound that speaks to me

Speaking to Music In Africa, the 33-year-old artist revealed that the song is a personal favourite, inspired by her journey as a musician and speaks to resilience. The inspiration behind the track speaks volumes about her career. “It’s kind of an escape for 13 minutes, and essentially I just make a feel-good song with words of affirmation.”

Nia Pearl says the song’s uplifting lyrics and soothing melody offer words of hope while setting the tone for the entire EP, which is an ode to her career, with each song telling a story and conveying an inspirational message.

According to Nia Pearl, the forthcoming EP, slated for release on 9 August, is a deeply personal and introspective work, woven from the threads of her experiences, emotions and artistic growth, offering listeners a profound and uplifting journey into the heart of her creativity.

“I wanted each song to have a story, and for the sound to be very soulful and showcase my depth as an artist. Fans can expect a soulful compilation, an authentic sound that truly reflects my outlook and perspective on life.”

Her creative process was not without its challenges. “It was endless nights in various studios, playing around with sounds and trying to get as much music as possible,” she recalls. “But I finally found the right producers who shared my vision, and we created something amazing together.”

The project features collaborations with top producers Kelvin Momo, Stix, DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small, Mas Musiq, and others.

Nia Pearl emphasised the importance of finding the right producer for her vision and expressed pride in the body of work they created together. “It’s very important for me to find the right producer for the vision I have, so making that connection with producers I work with is very important to me. I finally got to a place where I knew what sound I wanted to make and who would bring out the very best version of Nia Pearl as a vocalist.”

With Nia Lo, Nia Pearl seeks to reintroduce herself, taking listeners on a journey through her emotions and experiences. “I want to establish myself as one of the best vocalists in the genre, grow my fan base, and showcase my talent to the rest of the world,” she said, adding that she has interest in collaborating with fellow African artists, including Tems, Bnxn and Rema.

For Nia Pearl, knowing who you are and what you want to accomplish is crucial. “Trusting your gut and being authentic to who you are can really turn out to be the greatest decision,” she advises. “And don’t be afraid to listen to others and take your time to process all necessary avenues.”

The release of the EP will be the beginning for Nia Pearl, who is looking forward to branching out into other sounds and collaborating with fellow African artists. “I’m excited to see where my music takes me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my gift with the world.”

“My listeners have been longing for a full body of work, and essentially I want to grow my fan base to showcase my talent to the rest of the world. I want the EP to be enjoyed on a global scale, basically create a buzz around soulful piano and just doing it for the culture.”

With her authentic sound, powerful lyrics, and undeniable talent, Nia Pearl is poised to do just that. As she puts it, “this has been a long time coming. I’ve moulded my sound to speak to me and what I want to accomplish, and honestly, it’s just me basically exporting it to the rest of the world.”